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Title: APPLICATION OF MODERN SURFACE IRRIGATION IN EGYPT

Author
item Clemmens, Albert
item EL-HADDAD, ZAKARIA - ZAGAZIG UNIV, EGYPT
item STRELKOFF, THEODOR - UNIV OF ARIZONA, TUCSON

Submitted to: Transactions of the ASAE
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Historically, the performance of surface irrigation systems has been low, particularly in areas with a long history of surface irrigation like the Nile Delta of Egypt. This poor performance often leads to problems with soil salinity management, reduced yields, and in some cases, water lost to further reuse. Improving the performance of surface irrigation systems has been difficult, partially because of local tradition, but also due to technical limitations. This paper demonstrates that application of modern surface irrigation methods in countries such as Egypt requires precision land grading, for best results with laser-controlled equipment. The impact of poor leveling on efficiency and uniformity is demonstrated and may explain why modern surface irrigation has not been adopted. This paper suggests that precision land-grading would allow Egyptian farmers to adopt modern surface irrigation systems, particularly irrigation of long furrows and long strips of land, with associated high potential uniformities and efficiencies. The paper demonstrates that computer models can be used for design of improved surface irrigation systems under Egyptian conditions. These results are applicable to extension agents, design engineers, and international agricultural development experts.

Technical Abstract: Over the past decade, there has been a gradual shift in Egypt towards development of farm mechanization systems. Efficient use of equipment requires tilling basins and furrows in long strips. However, for irrigation, these strips are typically broken up into small basins. This requires considerable labor and results in nonuniform and inefficient irrigation. Irrigation of long strips on very flat, nearly level fields i difficult with the current degree of land-grading precision. Use of laser- controlled land-grading equipment is increasing in Egypt, but this has not led to irrigation of long strips. A project was undertaken to examine the potential performance of modern level basins in Egypt. Field studies were conducted to verify that these modern surface irrigation methods were viable. These field studies were used to determine infiltration and roughness conditions that might be typical of soils in the Nile Delta. Simulation studies were also performed to determine the influence of land-grading precision on level-basin performance. This paper summarizes the studies that have been performed and provides an introduction to the application of this technology to improving surface-irrigation performance.